Former US President Donald Trump has attacked the makers of the biopic The Apprentice in a blistering statement. Outraged that the film, released on the eve of the 2024 Presidential Election, should be described as "cheap, defamatory, and politically disgusting hatchet job," Trump said the alleged film aimed to undermine his political movement, famous for the phrase "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
In his response, Trump defended his deceased ex-wife, Ivana, calling her "kind and wonderful" and asserting he had a good relationship with her on the day she died. He later criticized the film's writer, Gabe Sherman, labeling him a "lowlife and talentless hack" who had been "widely discredited" but allegedly chose to overlook that truth.
Reacting to this, director Ali Abbasi acknowledged receiving legal communication from Trump’s team regarding the film. The Apprentice has emerged as one of the most controversial films of the fall season. It stars Sebastian Stan as a young Trump thriving in the 1980s New York real estate scene under the mentorship of attorney Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong.
The movie had a challenging journey to theaters. While premiering at the Cannes Film Festival, it gained traction with major studios and specialty labels. However, complications arose, including a cease-and-desist letter from Trump’s legal team and the withdrawal of investor Dan Snyder, a former Washington Commanders owner and Trump supporter.
Briarcliff Entertainment released The Apprentice for its premiere on October 11, just weeks before the election, although the filmmakers are still working to secure additional screenings. In a bold move, they even launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for distribution. "This project has been pretty crazy from start to finish," Abbasi said. "It’s not completely there yet. It’s going to get more crazy, maybe."
As a film depicting a parallel universe of a Donald Trump presidency, it stirs strong feelings on both sides. Trump's reelection campaign has also weighed in, with campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung calling it "pure fiction" and later "election interference by Hollywood elites."
The Apprentice may significantly impact the election landscape ahead of the November 5 election. Some argue that while many Hollywood figures endorse Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, a politically charged film about Trump amidst sequels and superhero movies presents an intriguing test: would liberals watch a movie about Trump, and would conservatives turn out to see a film he has denounced?